Career Technical Education

​Manufacturing & Product Development

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The Manufacturing and Product Development sector provides a foundation for secondary students in California in manufacturing processes and systems, including graphic design production, machine tooling and forming, welding and materials joining, and product innovation and design. Students engage in an instructional program that integrates academic and technical preparation and focuses on career awareness, career exploration, and skill preparation in four pathways. The pathways emphasize real-world, occupationally relevant experiences of significant scope and depth in manufacturing. The knowledge and skills are acquired within a sequential, standards-based pathway program that integrates hands-on, project-based, and work-based instruction. Standards in this sector are designed to prepare students for entry to a career, postsecondary education, or advanced technical training.